Senior condos to become rentals on former base

July 8, 2010

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Coventry Court is a planned 240-unit senior community with 153 planned affordable units. The buildings are being constructed by Lennar, which is asking the city to allow a change from condos to apartments. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Residents fill Council Chambers at Tustin City Hall during a public hearing at the Planning Commission meeting. The five commissioners denied a request by Lennar that would turn the Coventry Court development into rental housing. The issue will be heard by the City Council on July 7. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A row of homes leads to Coventry Court, a planned senior community in Columbus Square on the former Tustin Marine base. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Lennar, the developer of Coventry Court in Columbus Square, is asking the City of Tustin to approve a change in plans from for-sale condos to rentals, due to the economic climate. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The building at the far end is Coventry Court, a planned senior community within Columbus Grove, on the former Tustin Marine base. One of the buildings has been completed but is vacant. Columbus Grove residents are hoping to stop a proposed change from condos to rental units. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Coventry Court is a planned 240-unit senior community with 153 planned affordable units. The buildings are being constructed by Lennar, which is asking the city to allow a change from condos to apartments. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 9

Coventry Court is a planned 240-unit senior community with 153 planned affordable units. The buildings are being constructed by Lennar, which is asking the city to allow a change from condos to apartments. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 9

Coventry Court is a planned 240-unit senior community with 153 planned affordable units. The buildings are being constructed by Lennar, which is asking the city to allow a change from condos to apartments. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 9

Residents fill Council Chambers at Tustin City Hall during a public hearing at the Planning Commission meeting. The five commissioners denied a request by Lennar that would turn the Coventry Court development into rental housing. The issue will be heard by the City Council on July 7. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Coventry Court is a planned 240-unit senior community with 153 planned affordable units. The buildings are being constructed by Lennar, which is asking the city to allow a change from condos to apartments. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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TUSTIN - Senior condos on the former Tustin Marine base are being changed to senior rentals after the City Council has approved the developer’s request.

Columbus Square residents in the surrounding community had been fighting the switch to rentals at Coventry Court. Council members on Wednesday night heard from 14 residents opposing the change. The council approved the request with a 4-1 vote. Councilwoman Deborah Gavello voted against the approval.

Residents reiterated their concern that a homeowner disclosure form was changed to allow rentals after about 500 of the Columbus Square residents bought their homes.

“I understand the anger,” said Councilman John Nielsen. But, he said, “This is a private matter between residents and Lennar.”

“I still have a lot of anger and resentment toward Lennar for that,” Nielsen said.

So far, only one of the 10 planned buildings has been completed in the all-senior community near Kensington Park Drive and Edinger Avenue.

Renting will allow the company to finish the rest of the buildings, said Carol Mentor McDermott of Government Solutions Inc. in Newport Beach, the firm representing Tustin Coventry. Tustin Coventry, the property owner, is a partnership of Lennar and William Lyon Company.

The company asked for the switch from for-sale condos to rentals because the company wasn’t able to find enough seniors who qualified for the affordable housing condos, McDermott said.

“The interest list is not enough to justify expending millions to construct those homes and let them sit vacant as a failed property in the community,” McDermott said.

Donna Kelly, of Lennar, said the company is confident the rentals will be successful.

The decision had been postponed after an April 20 meeting in which about 200 residents filled council chambers, and 23 people shared their views. The council had postponed the decision to allow Lennar time to meet with the residents and homeowners.

“Meetings with Lennar created confusion, anxiety and doubt,” said Columbus Square resident Lee Whiteley. The residents had formed a committee to oppose the addition of senior rentals.

The number of affordable units, the 55-and-older age restriction and floor plans will not change, representatives have said. The senior community was approved by the city in 2005 and 2006 as condominiums, but the developer permits expired because the homes were not built, records show.

“This fight has always been about not putting apartments in our neighborhood,” said Verandas resident Karen Knighton, also of Columbus Square. “This is a one-sided agreement for the developer and for the eventual land owner.”

The Coventry Court units are restricted to renters age 55 and older, and 153 of the total 240 units will be affordable housing. Lennar will pay the association fees for the seniors and give up HOA voting rights for residents.

“In my opinion there is no detriment to your community,” said Councilman Doug Davert.

The seniors at Coventry Court will have a 6,000-square-foot clubhouse, a television and pool, and they will share the community pools and recreation areas in Columbus Square

About 700 homes have been sold in Columbus Square, the surrounding community. When finished, Columbus Square will have 1,075 homes.

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